School of Medicine celebrates 79 young doctors

SHARE | Friday, 31 August 2018 | By Thomas Nkhoma

The University of Botswana School Medicine celebrated the 5th cohort of 79 young doctors who graduated with Bachelor Degrees in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) at the Phakalane Golf Estate Resort on August 17, 2018.

Speaking at the Inaugural Convocation Dinner for the Class of 2018, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr Oatlhokwa Nkomazana, said of the number, 69 graduated from the University of Botswana while the rest were from abroad. Dr Nkomazana said the young doctors would soon be going for internship in public hospitals. Since its inception in 2009, the Medical School has so far graduated 200 doctors most of which practise in public hospitals.

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Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor David Sebudubudu encouraged the graduates to work hard for the country as well as to be kind, respectful and caring to their clients. Professor Sebudubudu also advised them to always abide by their professional ethical code of conduct and to be part of solutions rather than problems. In addition, he urged the graduates to take their internship training seriously and to face challenges in their profession head on. “Make use of the internship training opportunity and invest in your curriculum vitae,” said Professor David Sebudubudu.

He also urged the graduates to further their studies at the University of Botswana Medical School because it was well endowed with resources and expertise.

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Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Ruth Maphorisa, also advised the graduates to treat their clients with respect and to honor work and the profession’s ethics. Maphorisa said their contribution was very essential in assisting Government and the Ministry to be more progressive. She also advised the young doctors to be cautious when dealing with their clients because some of them may not present clinical deficiencies but social issues that needed to be referred to other professionals.

The Permanent Secretary also advised the graduates to be part of team work and study the environment where they would be engaged as well as to be vigilant with their mental health to avoid conditions such as depression. She also advised the graduates to keep fit and to have a sound mind and stress free life.

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*Thomas T. Nkhoma is Public Affairs Officer - Media at the University of Botswana